Friday, 28 February 2014

Book ~ "What's It To You?" (2013) Judy Irwin

From Goodreads ~ What if nothing was the worst thing you could do?For 13-year old Tim Stockdale, it's all about keeping his head down and fitting in with the friends he's managed to make at his new school. His older brother, Eli, is the opposite. He's trying to set up a Gay-Straight Alliance at his high school, where he's a junior. Even though the school board is against it, Eli’s not afraid of what the fallout might be.So when Tim's new friends start to bully a kid they think is gay, Tim's torn - he doesn't want to do anything to risk being cast out of the crew. But when Eli is hurt in a protest, Tim's own failure to do anything starts to get under his skin. Will he find his way at his new middle school, and figure out what's really worth standing up for?

Tim and his family have recently moved. His brother, Eli, is in high school and continues to go to the same school. Tim, though, is starting grade eight and starts at a new school. Tim finds it hard to fit in so hangs out with the first group of guys that befriend him. They are bullies and pick on Jodie, a guy they think is gay. Tim doesn't participant in the bullying but he doesn't do anything to stop it.

Eli is gay and wants to start a Gay-Straight Alliance at his school. During one of the protests, he is hurt. This book is about Tim's struggle to stay true to his brother and his desire to fit in at his new school.

This is the first book I've read by this author and I liked it. I liked the writing style and thought it flowed well. Though it is a YA book, I didn't find the writing too immature for me. Because of the subject matter (homosexuality and bullies), I would recommend it for a more mature YA.

I liked the relationship that Eli and Tim had ... despite the difference in their ages, they were close as brothers and got along well. Their parents were supportive of Eli's sexual orientation ... they were scared that because he was leading the charge for gay rights at the school that he might get hurt (which he did).